Hijacked South Korean Fishing Boat Heading for Pirate Base

[xtypo_dropcap]T[/xtypo_dropcap]he South Korean foreign ministry Oct. 17, said that a fishing boat captured by Somali pirates off the coast of Kenya was heading towards a pirate base north of Mogadishu, Somalia, according to South Korean Yonhap News Agency.

The 241-ton trawler “Keummi 305,” had a crew of two South Koreans, two Chinese, and 39 Kenyans, and was hijacked by pirates on Oct. 9, according to Yonhap News Agency.

“Given past instances, it would put the hostages in even more danger if the government tried to negotiate directly with the pirates,” a ministry official told South Korean media, The Korea Herald. “We’re trying to find out more about the incident using all possible channels.”

A dealership official told The Korea Herald that they have yet to hear from the pirates, and “It could take up to four days to reach their base (from where the ship was hijacked), and we expect to be contacted soon.”